Burden of the Assassin

The story kept me on edge without feeling rushed. I'm curious whether developing tension was a conscious choice or evolved naturally during writing.

The lines between right and wrong blurred so much that I wondered what I would do in their position. Am I the only one who found myself sympathizing with both sides?

The environment added a lot to the mood of the novel. I'm interested in whether the author drew from personal experience or created the world from imagination.